In a twisted tale of deceit and desperation, the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau has arrested two individuals who allegedly tried to extort Rs 2 crore from a Kollam-based businessman by falsely claiming they could make an ED inquiry disappear.
The businessman, who exports cashews to an African nation, had reportedly suffered massive losses during the pandemic after being duped by an overseas client. These losses caught the attention of financial watchdogs, leading to him being summoned by the ED for questioning.
Sensing an opportunity, Wilson from Thammanam approached the troubled businessman, claiming to have “influential contacts” who could intervene in the ED probe and bring it to an end. Acting with confidence, Wilson asked the businessman to transfer Rs 2 crore in four separate transactions of Rs 50 lakh each to bank accounts outside Kerala. The accounts, sources say, were allegedly arranged by his associate Mukesh Jain alias Murali, originally from Rajasthan but living in Kochi.
Vigilance officials revealed that Mukesh is believed to be involved in hawala networks and was key in managing the financial logistics of the scam. Wilson was caught red-handed while accepting a Rs 2 lakh cash installment at Panampilly Nagar. His arrest soon led investigators to Mukesh, who was later taken into custody.
The businessman’s instincts turned the tide. Sensing something suspicious, he approached vigilance authorities who advised him to make a small transaction of Rs 50000 into one of the flagged accounts, allowing investigators to monitor the financial trail. When Wilson insisted the next payment be made in cash, the trap was sprung.
Both accused were brought before a court and are now in judicial custody. In a strange twist, Mukesh’s wife had earlier lodged a missing person report, saying he had not been seen since Thursday.
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